Thyme Essential Oil: 5 Health Benefits and Uses
Thyme oil benefits and uses for skincare, oral care blends and a cleaner home, with a citrus thyme diffuser blend and safe use notes.
In this guide
Thyme oil benefits include a fresh, clearing scent for the home, a bright herbal lift for skincare and oral-care blends, and natural cleaning power from its key compound, thymol. Thyme essential oil is one of the most useful oils you can own. Here are its five main uses, the difference between red and white thyme, three easy recipes and how to use it safely.
Key takeaways
- Thyme oil has a warm, herbal, slightly sharp scent that many people find clearing and invigorating.
- Thymol gives thyme its bold scent and is well known for its antiseptic qualities.
- Use it in diffusers, diluted skincare blends, oral-care rinses and homemade cleaners.
- Red thyme is the first, stronger distillation. White thyme is re-distilled to be paler and milder.
- Thyme is potent: always dilute it, never apply it neat and never swallow it.
What is thyme essential oil?
Thyme takes its name from the Greek word "thymos", meaning "smell". It is a much-loved seasoning herb that most of us know from home-cooked meals. Often called the joy of the mountain, thyme is closely linked with the Mediterranean, where it is prized for its flavour and its wonderfully aromatic character.
Our organic thyme essential oil is steam distilled from common thyme, Thymus vulgaris. It is just as versatile as the herb, with a place in diffuser blends, skincare, oral-care routines and homemade cleaning. And the best part is that it smells so good.
What are the benefits of thyme essential oil?
| Use | Benefit | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy | Clearing, invigorating scent for cooler months | Up to 5 drops in a diffuser or facial steam |
| Skincare | A fresh, herbal lift for natural skin blends | 2 drops in 30ml of carrier oil |
| Oral care | Clean, bright freshness, a traditional favourite | Homemade rinses and pastes, never swallowed |
| Home | A fresh, clean, cared-for feel in every room | Diffuser or homemade surface cleaner |
| Kitchen | Familiar Mediterranean aroma while you cook | Diffuse while you prepare a meal |
5 popular uses for thyme essential oil
1. Aromatic support for the senses
Thyme essential oil has a warm, herbal, slightly sharp aroma that many people find clearing and invigorating. That is why it is such a popular diffuser choice in the cooler months. Thymol is the natural compound that gives thyme its bold, typical scent.
To enjoy thyme aromatically, add up to 5 drops to your diffuser. You can also add it to a bowl of steaming water for a simple facial steam.
2. Thyme oil benefits for skin
Thyme is a popular oil in natural skincare blends thanks to its fresh, herbal aroma. Many people enjoy mixing it with other aromatic oils such as tea tree, oregano and lemongrass. Because it is strong, keep it to just a couple of drops in a carrier oil.
Try the facial serum recipe below, and always patch test a new blend first.
3. Oral-care blends
Thyme has a fresh, clean aroma that has made it a traditional favourite in oral care. You will spot thyme, peppermint and tea tree among the ingredients of many natural toothpastes and mouth rinses. Thymol is well known for its antiseptic qualities, which is one reason it is used this way.
Alongside peppermint, thyme adds a bright, herbal freshness to homemade oral-care blends. Essential oils should never be swallowed, so keep them to rinses and pastes used as directed.
4. Purify the home space
Diffusing thyme essential oil fills your home with a fresh, herbal aroma and a feeling of clean, cared-for surroundings. It blends beautifully with tea tree, frankincense, lemon, lavender or clove.
You can also add a few drops of thyme oil to a homemade surface cleaner. It leaves counters and table-tops smelling wonderfully herby and fresh. For more ideas, read our top 3 essential oils for cleaning your home.
5. A place at the table
Thyme has always been at home in the kitchen, and its essential oil has the same warm, savoury, herbal character. The oil itself is for aromatic and skin blends, not for cooking. But diffusing thyme while you prepare or enjoy a meal is a lovely way to bring that Mediterranean aroma into your home.
Red thyme vs white thyme essential oil: what is the difference?
You may see thyme oil sold as "red" or "white". Red thyme is the first distillation of the plant. It is darker and has a stronger, sharper scent. White thyme is red thyme that has been distilled a second time. This makes it paler, with a milder, softer scent.
White thyme is often chosen for perfumery and cosmetics because it is gentler. Red thyme keeps more of its bold, herbal character. Whichever type you use, both are strong oils, so dilute them well and use only a few drops.
What does thyme essential oil blend well with?
Thyme pairs beautifully with citrus, spice and other herbal oils. It gives fresh, herbal and citrus-forward blends.
| Oil | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Lemon | Sharp, clean citrus for a fresh home |
| Frankincense | Warm, soft depth that rounds off the scent |
| Tea tree | Fresh, medicinal edge for cleaning blends |
| Lavender | Soft, floral calm to soften thyme |
| Rosemary | Bright, herbal freshness |
| Clove bud | Warm, spicy sweetness |
3 DIY thyme essential oil recipes
These simple recipes use thyme in the diffuser, on the skin and around the home. Follow the drop counts closely, as thyme is a strong oil.
1. Citrus and Thyme Diffuser Blend
Best for: a clean, uplifting home at any time of day
- 2 drops Thyme oil
- 2 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Lemon oil
Thyme, frankincense and lemon all share a fresh, uplifting character. Add the drops to your diffuser to fill the home with a clean, herbal-citrus aroma.
2. Thyme Facial Serum
Best for: a fresh, herbal skincare blend
- 2 drops Thyme oil
- 2 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Frankincense oil
- 30ml Jojoba oil
Blend everything in a sterilised 30ml dropper bottle. It makes a gentle 1% serum. Patch test first, then massage a few drops into clean skin and keep away from your eyes.
3. Time for Thyme Homemade Cleaner
Best for: counters, table-tops and bathroom surfaces
- 1 cup Witch hazel
- 1 cup White vinegar
- 4 cups Distilled water
- 20 drops Clove bud oil
- 20 drops Rosemary oil
- ¼ oz (7ml) Thyme oil
- ¼ oz (7ml) Lemon oil
- ¼ oz (7ml) Tea tree oil
- 2 tbsp Vegetable glycerin or aloe vera
- 2 tbsp Washing-up liquid
In a jug, mix the essential oils with the glycerin and washing-up liquid. Stir in the vinegar, witch hazel and water, then pour into an old bottle, close and shake well. Label it and store in a dark cupboard for up to 6 months.
Pro tip
Worried about the vinegar smell? Do not be. Vinegar is a classic, effective cleaning ingredient, and its scent fades within a few minutes. After that, the essential oils take over and your counters smell herbal and lovely.
Is thyme essential oil safe to use?
Safety first
Thyme essential oil is highly concentrated and can be strong on the skin. Always dilute it well in a carrier oil, patch test before wider use and never apply it neat.
- Never swallow essential oils, and keep them away from your eyes.
- Store out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep oil-based cleaning blends away from food preparation surfaces unless you rinse them.
- Take extra care if you are diabetic, epileptic, pregnant, breastfeeding or have a serious health condition, and check with a qualified practitioner if in doubt.
- If you have sensitive skin, use thyme in a diffuser rather than on your skin.
Looking for more herbal oils to keep your family well? Read our guide to popular essential oils for immune support.
FAQs
What is thyme essential oil good for?
Thyme oil is used in diffuser blends to clear the air, in well-diluted skincare and oral-care blends, and in homemade cleaners for the kitchen and bathroom. It is a powerful oil, so always dilute it and use only a few drops.
What does thyme essential oil smell like?
It has a warm, herbal, slightly sharp aroma that many people find fresh and invigorating. That is why it is popular in diffuser blends and homemade cleaners.
What is the difference between red and white thyme oil?
Red thyme is the first distillation, darker and stronger. White thyme is distilled again to make it paler and milder, so it is often used in perfumery and cosmetics. Both should be well diluted.
How do I use thyme oil in a diffuser?
Add up to about 5 drops to your diffuser, on its own or blended with oils such as lemon, frankincense, tea tree or lavender. Follow your diffuser's instructions.
Can I put thyme essential oil on my skin?
Only well diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba, and after a patch test. Thyme is potent, so never apply it neat to the skin.
Can you take thyme oil internally?
No. Never swallow thyme essential oil or any other essential oil. Use it only in diffusers, diluted skin blends, and rinses or pastes that you spit out.
Which oils blend well with thyme?
Thyme pairs beautifully with lemon, frankincense, tea tree, lavender, rosemary and clove. Together they make fresh, herbal and citrus-forward blends.
How long does the homemade thyme cleaner keep?
Stored in a labelled container in a cool, dark cupboard, it keeps for up to six months. Always shake before use.
The bottom line
Thyme essential oil is a fresh, versatile oil for the diffuser, skincare, oral care and a cleaner home. Start with the citrus and thyme diffuser blend, then try the serum or the homemade cleaner. Find thyme and its partner oils in our essential oils collection.
